Automatic analyzer

ABSTRACT

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the analyzer includes a reagent driving disk that accommodates a reagent configured for analysis and that transports the reagent to a desired position, and a fixed disk that has a reagent stand-by position in which to make a reagent container containing the reagent, temporarily stand by, and a magnetic particles stirring position for stirring magnetic particles. A portion of the reagent stand-by position is constituted by a loading system. A reagent container moving unit moves reagent containers containing the reagent, between the reagent driving unit and the fixed disk, according to analytical request status. Providing in a part of the fixed disk the loading system constructed so that reagent containers containing the reagent can be mounted therein during operation enables changing of reagent containers, irrespective of an operational status of the reagent driving disk, and the system to having cold-storage functionality.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Continuation application Ser.No. 13/360,202, filed 27 Jan. 2012 which is a continuation ofInternational Application No. PCT/EP2010/060977, filed 28 Jul. 2010,which claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-176005,filed 29 Jul. 2009, and European Patent Application No. 09179068.3,filed 14 Dec. 2009, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to automatic analyzers thatconduct qualitative/quantitative analyses on biological samples such asblood and urine. More particularly and with regard to a first aspect,the invention concerns an automatic analyzer including a reagentcontainer holding unit that holds reagent containers each containing areagent to be used for analysis, and a reagent container supply unitthat supplies reagent containers to the reagent container holding unit.

BACKGROUND

Automatic analyzers that analyze blood and other biological samplesautomatically and output the results are among the apparatusesabsolutely necessary to perform efficient analyses at the testingcenters and other medical laboratory facilities that subcontract totest/examine samples on behalf of hospitals and clinics that have manypatients. It is being desired that these automatic analyzers be morecompact, capable of conducting more kinds of analyses, and have higherthroughput.

If the reagent set up in the apparatus runs short during analysis,stopping the analysis before taking any necessary steps will reduce theefficiency of the analysis. Automatic analyzers are therefore designedso that if a shortage of reagent is likely, the apparatus will warn theoperator about the shortage, thus avoiding the situation that theoperator will have to stop the apparatus to replace the reagent with anew one of the same kind during the analysis.

JP 4033060 describes a more advanced technique for preventing a shortageof reagent from occurring during analysis. In the technique of JP4033060, a first and a second reagent-container storage means areprovided beforehand and if the reagent stored within the firstreagent-container storage means runs short, a reagent container as areplacement is supplied from the second reagent-container storage meansautomatically.

According to the technique described in JP 4033060, although a pluralityof reagent containers can be stored in the second reagent-containerstorage means, one reagent container can only be conveyed at a time fromthe second reagent-container storage means to the firstreagent-container storage means. In addition, holding a plurality ofreagent containers in the second reagent-container storage means for anextended time requires providing cold-storage means, the provision ofwhich could result in an oversized apparatus structure.

Analyzers are known in various embodiments, e.g., from EP 0 703 457 B1,EP 1 275 966 B1, U.S. Pat. No. 7,547,414 B2 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,384,601B2.

Those analyzers are used for automatically analyzing samples in order todetermine the existence and particularly the concentration of specificcomponents in the samples. Such analyzers are widely used in hospitalsand clinical laboratories to analyze biological samples, namely bodyfluids collected from patients, such as blood and urine, in order todiagnose their morbidities.

A method for analyzing such a biological fluid sample by means of ananalyzer of the above mentioned type is explained in, e.g., EP 1 051 621B1.

The workflow of an analyzer of the above mentioned kind is usuallycompletely sample orientated, i.e., analytical determinations areperformed serially in a respective fluid sample, wherein for eachanalytical determination a set of different reagents is used to be addedto a separated part of said sample. It is therefore required to providea lot of different reagents on the turntable of the apparatus forproviding reagents, and it is required that a fast access to particularreagent container assemblies on the turntable by treatment means such aspipetting means or agitating means is possible in order to achieve ahigh throughput of the analyzer. It is generally required that such ananalyzer apparatus and particularly the apparatus for providing reagentshas small dimensions to be space-saving.

SUMMARY

It is against the above background that the embodiments of the presentdisclosure provide certain unobvious advantages and advancements overthe prior art. In particular, the inventor(s) have/has recognized a needfor improvements in automatic analyzers.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited tospecific advantages or functionality, it is noted that in a firstaspect, the present disclosure provides an automatic analyzer thatenables automatic replacement of a reagent during analysis andeliminates a need of providing such reagent cold-storage means asdescribed in Patent JP 4033060.

According to a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to ananalyzer comprising an apparatus for providing reagents to be used inanalyses to be performed by the analyzer,

wherein said apparatus for providing reagents comprises

-   -   a turntable having an axis of rotation and being adapted for        storing thereon a plurality of reagent container assemblies in        an arrangement of at least one arcuate row,    -   at least one treatment zone for treating reagent container        assemblies stored on said turntable, and    -   treatment means for treating reagent container assemblies        positioned in said treatment zone,        wherein said turntable comprises compartments arranged to        accommodate the reagent container assemblies at predetermined        locations on the turntable so as to form said arrangement of at        least one arcuate row of reagent container assemblies        corresponding to the arrangement of said compartments, and        wherein said turntable is adjustable by rotation so as to        selectively move compartments in predetermined positions for        disposing reagent container assemblies in predetermined        positions in said treatment zone.

As to the second aspect of the invention it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an analyzer of the above mentioned type with anapparatus for providing reagents that may be operated in a moreefficient way in comparison with analyzers of the prior art.

In order to attain the first above mentioned object, an automaticanalyzer according to the first aspect of the present invention isconfigured as follows:

The analyzer includes: a reagent container transport unit adapted formounting a plurality of reagent containers thereon, and constructed totransport the reagent containers to desired positions; a reagentcontainer mounting unit adjacent to the reagent container transport unitand having an ability to supply the reagent containers to the reagentcontainer transport unit; and a reagent container moving unit that movesthe reagent containers from the reagent container mounting unit to thereagent container transport unit.

A more preferred aspect of the present invention is outlined below.

Only a reagent driving disk that moves to positions for reagentdispensing and stirring, reagent container lid opening/closing, and thelike, is provided as a disk in the automatic analyzer according to anaspect of the present invention. In an automatic analyzer according to amore preferred aspect of the present invention, however, a fixed diskwithout a drive such as a motor is added at a location adjacent to sucha reagent driving disk. The automatic analyzer according to the morepreferred aspect also includes a magnetic particles stirring unit at aposition adjacent to the fixed disk. This layout of the fixed disk andthe magnetic particles stirring unit enables a temporarily idle reagentcontainer on the fixed disk to be made to stand by thereon. Thus, thereagent driving disk is of compact construction. Additionally,positioning the magnetic particles stirring unit adjacently to the fixeddisk renders magnetic particles stirring executable on the fixed disk,ensures a sufficient stirring time, and enables uniform stirring withoutcausing unfavorable events such as bubbling. Furthermore, a reagent canbe dispensed into a reagent container on the fixed disk as well as onthe driving disk, so that magnetic particles in a reagent in one reagentcontainer can be stirred on the fixed disk while a reagent in otherreagent container can be dispensed on the fixed disk.

A reagent container moving unit adapted to move reagent containersbetween the reagent driving disk and the fixed disk is further provided,whereby the reagent containers can be moved between the reagent drivingdisk and the fixed disk according to a particular analytical situation.

Moreover, providing a loading system in a part of the reagent stand-bydisk enables reagent container replacement, even during reagenttransport disk operation. The reagent can therefore be replaced withoutreducing throughput. Since a cooling function for the loading system isfurther added and since the cooling function is provided in a part ofthe reagent disk, the loading system can be provided without adding aspace in any other section of the apparatus. As a result, the reagentdisk alone can be miniaturized and the apparatus correspondinglydownsized.

The following advantageous effects of the invention may be indicated:

-   (1) A large number of reagent containers including the one standing    by can be set in the apparatus.-   (2) The number of reagent containers changes can be reduced.-   (3) The reagent disk can be miniaturized.-   (4) The reagent containers can be replaced without reducing    throughput.

According to the second aspect of the present invention the analyzer ofthe above mentioned kind is characterized in that said turntablecomprises

-   -   a first circular turntable partition centered around the axis of        rotation and carrying said arcuate row of compartments, and    -   a second turntable partition arranged radially adjacent to said        first turntable partition and carrying a first compartment for        accommodating a reagent container assembly therein,        wherein said first turntable partition is rotatable relative to        the second turntable partition about said axis of rotation so as        to selectively adjust a compartment of said first turntable        partition in radial alignment with said first compartment of the        second turntable partition in a mutual transfer position in        which a reagent container assembly is radially shiftable between        said aligned compartments in said treatment zone.

The analyzer according to the present invention allows to pursue aspecific strategy in supplying the reagents required for performing theanalytical determinations according to specific assay protocols.

The steps of extracting different reagents from reagent containerassemblies may take different times, depending on the particularreagents and special preparation measures to be taken before particularreagents can be withdrawn from reagent container assemblies by way ofpipetting. Such a preliminary preparation step is a mixing or agitatingstep which is necessary to homogenize reagents which tend to sediment.One example for such a reagent is a suspension of beads. Such asuspension of beads is typically used in almost each analyticaldetermination process to be performed with an analyzer according to thepresent invention. The beads tend to deposit on the bottom of thecontainer section which includes the bead suspension. If beads of such asedimented suspension are required for a present analyticaldetermination process it is necessary to homogenize the suspension byway of agitation with a stirrer or the like which is to be dipped intothe reagent container section. Such an agitating or mixing step iscomparatively time-consuming.

According to the present invention such a time-consuming mixing step maybe performed with the particular reagent to be mixed being provided in areagent container assembly that is temporarily stored in the firstcompartment of the second turntable partition during the mixing step. Inthe meantime the first turntable partition may be operated to provideother reagent container assemblies in the treatment zone in order to betreated on a faster time scale, e.g., by extracting reagents therefromby means of pipetting units. In other words, in the part of thetreatment zone which is supplied with reagent container assemblies bythe first turntable partition, treatment steps may be performedindependently and parallel to a treatment step performed in the part ofthe treatment zone which is assigned to the second turntable partition.

After the termination of a time-consuming treatment step performed on areagent container assembly provided on the second turntable partition,that reagent container assembly may be transferred to the firstturntable partition. Thereafter, a further reagent container assemblymay be transferred from the first turntable partition to the secondturntable partition when the respective compartments have been radiallyaligned in their mutual transfer position.

The operation of the turntable and the treatment means is controlled bya controller in a time-optimized manner.

Preferably, the first circular turntable partition is arranged radiallyoutward of the second circular turntable partition with regard to theaxis of rotation. Such an arrangement can be realized in a space-savingmanner with a relatively great capacity of the first turntable partitionfor storing a great number of reagent container assemblies.

The reagent container assemblies to be used in the analyzer according tothe present invention are preferably multisection containers with atleast two, preferably three container sections, each of which has aninner volume containing a particular reagent. The container sections arearranged side-by-side in a row and are connected to form a unitarycassette type assembly which has upper openings for gaining access tothe inner volumes of the container sections by a stirrer, a pipettingunit or the like. Each opening is normally closed and covered by arespective cap which can be reversibly moved from its closing coverposition to an opening position. Usually a cap will be in the openingposition only for short times during momentary phases of access to theinner volume of the respective container section. Thereafter the capshould be moved back in the closing position in order to avoidevaporation and/or contamination of the reagent in the containersection.

The analyzer according to the present invention preferably comprises acap manipulating mechanism for selectively displacing caps of reagentcontainer sections into their opening position and closing positionrespectively. The cap manipulating mechanism is a part of the treatingmeans of the analyzer.

In order to enable an automatic shifting of a reagent container assemblybetween the first turntable partition and the second turntable partitionthe analyzer of the present invention preferably comprises a containershift mechanism for shifting reagent container assemblies betweenradially aligned compartments of said turntable partitions in theirmutual transfer positions, wherein said container shift mechanismcomprises radially movable engagement means for engaging and shifting areagent container assembly between compartments in their mutual transferposition. Such a shifting of a reagent container assembly is enabledonly in the case that one of the aligned compartments is vacant.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the secondturntable partition carries a plurality of compartments including saidfirst compartment for accommodating reagent container assemblies in anarrangement of an arcuate row radially adjacent said arcuate row ofcompartments of the first turntable partition, wherein at least two ofthe compartments, preferably all compartments of said second turntablepartition are radially alignable with respective compartments of thefirst turntable partition in mutual transfer positions. With regard tothe last mentioned embodiment of the invention it is preferred that saidcontainer shift mechanism is movable around the axis of rotation inselected angular positions corresponding to angular positions of theradial alignment of compartments aligned in their mutual transferpositions. In this manner it is possible to exchange reagent containerassemblies between various compartments of the turntable partitions. Thecompartments of the second turntable partitions may be used to storebackup reagent container assemblies containing reagents which are usedin larger amounts than other reagents for analytical determinations tobe performed according to predetermined assay protocols. Such a backupreagent container assembly may be transferred from the second turntablepartition to the first turntable partition in exchange with an at leastpartially empty reagent container assembly. In order to enable suchtransfers of reagent container assemblies between the turntablepartitions it is necessary that at least one compartment is vacant foraccommodating a reagent container assembly. The analyzer according tothe present invention preferably comprises as treatment means pipettingmeans which are movable for access to at least one of reagent containerassemblies positioned in said predetermined positions in said treatmentzone. The pipetting means should be movable for access to reagentcontainer assemblies positioned on the first turntable section andprovided in said treatment zone. According to a further embodiment ofthe invention the pipetting means are also movable for access to areagent container assembly positioned on the second turntable partitionand provided in said treatment zone.

Preferably one of the compartments of the first turntable partition andat least one of the compartments of the second turntable partition areradially aligned to dispose reagent container assemblies containedtherein on a straight radial line when positioned relative to each otherin said predetermined positions in the treatment zone, wherein saidapparatus for providing reagents comprises a driving and guiding meansfor selectively moving said pipetting means to reagent containerassemblies positioned relative to each other in said predeterminedpositions in the treatment zone.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention saidpipetting means comprise at least two pipetting units wherein saiddriving and guiding means are adapted to selectively move each pipettingunit according to a specific treatment program. The pipetting units maybe guided for common movement along a linear guidance which is orientedin the radial direction of the turntable. Each pipetting unit has apipette tip or intake tube and the distance between the pipette tips ofthe common horizontally movable pipette units correspond to the distancebetween the centers of openings of adjacent reagent container sectionsof a reagent container assembly so that both pipette tips may besimultaneously moved into adjacent openings of a reagent containerassembly positioned in the treatment zone. For the up-and-down movementof the pipette tips vertical drive means are provided which arepreferably controllable to drive the pipetting tips independently fromeach other.

As mentioned above, it is preferred that the treatment means compriseagitating means including a stirrer adapted to access a reagentcontainer assembly accommodated in the first compartment of the secondturntable partition.

In case that the container shift mechanism is adapted to be operated indifferent angular positions beside or outside of the treatment zonesection, in which the pipetting means operates, it is preferred that thecontainer shift mechanism and the pipetting means and the agitatingmeans are selectively operable in order to simultaneously treat separatereagent container assemblies with the container shift mechanism, thepipetting means and the agitating means, respectively.

The agitating means and the pipetting means are simultaneously operablein order to simultaneously treat separate reagent container assemblies,or in special cases the same reagent container assembly, with theagitating means and the pipetting means.

It is in the frame of the present invention that the first turntablepartition and the second turntable partition are both rotatable aboutthe axis of rotation in order to place reagent containers inpredetermined positions. However, according to a preferred embodiment ofthe invention the second turntable partition is fixed with regard to theaxis of rotation, whereas the first turntable partition is rotatablearound the second turntable partition.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention theturntable has a radial inner center including the axis of rotation,wherein a cleaning station for cleaning treatment means and a drainchannel for draining cleaning fluid is arranged in the area of saidradial inner center. Such a construction may be realized by means of ahollow shaft of the turntable and at least one cleaning fluid source,particularly a nozzle providing cleaning fluid to be drained off in thedrain channel. Since a stirrer of the agitating means usually must becleaned after each mixing operation it is preferred that said agitatingmeans is movable between a working position to agitate fluid in areagent container assembly positioned in a compartment of the secondturntable partition, particularly in the first compartment thereof, anda cleaning position to be cleaned by said cleaning means of saidcleaning station.

These and other features and advantages of the embodiments of thepresent invention will be more fully understood from the followingdetailed description taken together with the accompanying claims. It isnoted that the scope of the claims is defined by the recitations thereinand not by specific discussion of features and advantages set forth inthe present description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of the embodiments of the presentinvention can be best understood when read in conjunction with thefollowing drawings, where like structure is indicated with likereference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1 is a total apparatus configuration diagram of an automaticanalyzer of the present invention, the analyzer including a reagent diskwhich is hereinafter also called turntable;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the reagent disk;

FIG. 3-1 is a perspective view of the reagent disk, showing the diskparticularly with a lid removed;

FIG. 3-2 is a top view of the reagent disk, showing the diskparticularly with the lid removed;

FIG. 3-3 is a perspective view of the reagent disk, showing the diskparticularly under the state thereof in FIG. 3-2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a loading system;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a reagent container moving unit;

FIG. 5-1 is a schematic view showing a part of the reagent containermoving unit; and

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of reagent container moving operations;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a turntable of an analyzeraccording to the second aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of an apparatus for providing reagentsaccording to the present invention including the turntable of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9a and FIG. 9b are perspective views of a reagent containerassembly in the closed state and in the opened state;

FIG. 10 is a side view of treatment means of the apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the treatment zone of the apparatus ofFIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a detail of the treatment zone;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a detail of the turntable and thecontainer shift mechanism;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the container shift mechanism; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of acompartment dividing wall.

Reference Numerals of the first embodiment according to the first aspectof the invention.

-   101 Automatic analyzer-   102 Sample dispensing tip reaction vessel disposal hole-   103 Sample dispensing tip buffer-   104 Sample-   105 Reaction solution stirring unit-   106 Sample dispensing tip reaction vessel transport unit-   107 Sample dispensing tip reaction vessel-   108 Incubator disk-   109 Reagent dispensing pipettor-   110 Reagent container-   111 Reagent disk-   112 Reaction solution suction nozzle-   113 Detection unit-   114 Sample transport line-   115 Sample dispensing unit-   116 Magnetic particles stirring arm-   201 Lid-   202 Jacket-   205 Loading system-   301 Reagent driving disk-   302 Reagent driving disk driving unit-   303 Fixed disk-   304 Loading system-   305 Reagent container moving unit-   306 Reagent information reading device-   307 Partition plate-   308 Reagent stand-by position-   309 Reagent stirring position-   310 Reagent dispensing position-   401 Reagent placing unit-   402 Reagent actuator-   403 Indicator-   404 Loading system locking unit-   405 Indicator lamp-   501 Arm mechanism-   502 Drive portion-   503 Arm-   504 Lateral arm drive portion-   505 Rotational arm drive portion-   601 Analysis request process-   602 Confirmation process whether a reagent to be used for an    analysis on a reagent driving disk-   603 Process for no reagent movement-   604 Confirmation process whether a vacant position presents in a    reagent driving disk or not-   605 Process for moving a reagent container from a fixed disk to a    reagent driving disk by a reagent moving mechanism-   606 Confirmation process whether a vacant position presents in a    fixed disk or not-   607 Process for moving a reagent container to a reagent stand-by    position by a reagent driving disk-   608 Process for moving a reagent container to a loading system by a    reagent driving disk-   609 Analysis possible process

Reference Numerals of the second embodiment according to the secondaspect of the invention.

-   1 turntable-   3 first partition-   5 second partition-   7 axis of rotation-   9 compartments-   11 reagent container assembly-   13 a, 13 b, 13 c container sections-   15 welding spots-   17 upper opening-   19 cap-   21 hinge-   23 treatment zone-   25, 27 compartment-   29 container shift mechanism-   31 treating means-   33 frame-   34 vertical pile-   35 cantilever-   37 stirrer-   37, 39, 41 treatment units-   39, 41 pipetting units-   38 agitating means-   40 pipetting means-   43 linear horizontal guidance-   44, 47, 49 driving means-   53, 54 Catch springs-   55, 56 compartment dividing walls-   57 outer recess-   62 shifting arm-   63, 65 gripping or engagement elements-   67 longitudinal axis-   71, 77 driving means-   73 horizontal guidance-   75 driving means for rotating the shifting arm-   79 photo-electric guards-   85 drain channel

Skilled artisans appreciate that elements in the figures are illustratedfor simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale.For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures maybe exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understandingof the embodiment(s) of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below usingthe accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an exemplary configuration diagramof an automatic analyzer of the present invention, the analyzerincluding a reagent disk (also called turntable).

A samples transport line 114 in the automatic analyzer 101 transportssamples 104 to sample dispensing pipettes neighboring a sampledispensing unit 115.

A sample dispensing tip/reaction vessel transport unit 106 is adapted tomove above a reaction vessel disposal hole 102, a sample dispensing tipbuffer 103, a reaction solution stirring unit 105, a sample dispensingtip/reaction vessel station 107, and part of an incubator disk 108, indirections of X-, Y-, and Z-axes. The sample dispensing tip/reactionvessel transport unit 106 moves reaction vessels from the sampledispensing tip/reaction vessel station 107 to the incubator disk 108.The sample dispensing tip/reaction vessel transport unit 106 also movessample dispensing tips to the sample dispensing tip buffer 103. Thesample dispensing unit 115 moves to an upper area of the sampledispensing tip buffer 103 having sample dispensing tips placed in thebuffer, and picks up any one of the sample dispensing tips. Next aftermoving to an upper area of a sample and acquiring the sample by suction,the sample dispensing unit 115 further moves to an upper area of areaction vessel on the incubator disk 108, and discharges the sampleinto the reaction vessel. After this, the sample dispensing unit 115moves to an upper area of the sample dispensing tip/reaction vesseldisposal hole and dumps the sample dispensing tip thereinto fordisposal.

The incubator disk 108 has an ability to retain a plurality of reactionvessels, and moves each of the reaction vessels to a predeterminedposition on a circumference of the disk 108 by rotary motion.

The reagent disk 111 is adapted to retain a plurality of reagentcontainers 110, and moves each reagent containers 110 to a predeterminedposition on a circumference of the disk 111 by rotary motion. Thereagent container 110 itself comprises multiple reagent included in amagnetic particles solution.

A reagent dispensing pipettor 109 moves to an upper area of apredetermined kind of reagent on the reagent disk 111, then suctions apredetermined amount of reagent, and after moving to an upper area of apredetermined reaction vessel on the incubator disk, discharges thereagent into the reaction vessel.

A magnetic particles stirring arm 116 (also called stirrer) as anagitating means is set on the reagent disk 111. The arm 116 moves to anupper area of the reagent container containing the reagent inclusive ofthe magnetic particles solution to be stirred, and stirs the magneticparticles solution by lowering a magnetic particles stirring element ofthe arm 116 and rotating the stirring element. In order to release themagnetic particles from a natural settling state in the solution, themagnetic particles stirring arm 116 stirs the magnetic particlesimmediately before the reagent is dispensed. After the stirring, themagnetic particles stirring arm 116 moves to an upper area of a cleaningcell containing a cleaning liquid, and then lowers and rotates themagnetic particles stirring element to remove sticking magneticparticles therefrom.

A reaction solution suction nozzle 112 suctions from the reaction vessela reaction solution formed after an elapse of a predetermined reactiontime from dispensing of a sample and the predetermined reagent, and thensupplies the reaction solution to a detection unit 113. The detectionunit 113 analyzes the reaction solution. The sample dispensingtip/reaction vessel transport unit 106 moves the analyzed reactionsolution to the upper area of the sample dispensing tip/reaction vesseldisposal hole and dumps the sample dispensing tip thereinto fordisposal.

These actions of the apparatus are controlled by a host computer as acontrol means not shown.

The apparatus combines and repeats the above actions to efficientlyanalyze a plurality of samples over a plurality of analytical items.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the reagent disk 111 according to thepresent invention. In order to control the reagent container 110 to aconstant temperature, the reagent disk 111 includes a lid 201 having aheat-insulating function, and a jacket 202.

FIG. 3-1 is an external view of the reagent disk 111, showing the diskparticularly with the lid 201 removed. The reagent disk 111 includes: areagent driving disk 301 (also called first turntable partition) fortransporting the reagent 110 to a desired position; a reagent drivingdisk driving unit 302 that drives the reagent driving disk 301; a fixeddisk 303 (also called second turntable partition) adapted to maketemporarily stand by thereon a reagent container that contains thereagent container 110 of the same kind; a loading system 304 thatpermits reagent containers 110 to be mounted in the system, even duringanalysis; a reagent container moving unit 305 (also called containershift mechanism) for moving the reagent container 110 from the reagentdriving disk 301 to the fixed disk 303 or the loading system 304; areagent information reading device 306 for reading information on thereagent, such as an analysis time and analytical items; and a partitionplate 307 for partitioning a space between reagent containers 110.

FIG. 3-2 is a top view of the reagent disk shown in FIG. 3-1. The fixeddisk 303 has a reagent stand-by position 308 and a reagent stirringposition 309. In addition, a reagent dispensing position 310 is presenton an operational path of the reagent driving disk 301. The reagentstirring position 309 is adjacent to the reagent dispensing position310, and present on an operational path of the reagent dispensingpipettor. This region of the reagent disk is also called treatment zone.

FIG. 3-3 is a perspective view of the reagent disk shown in FIG. 3-2.While the magnetic particles stirring arm 116 is stirring the internalmagnetic particles solution of the reagent container at the reagentstirring position 309, the reagent dispensing pipettor 109 can dispensethe same kind of reagent into other reaction vessels. This ensures asufficient magnetic-particles stirring time and enables simultaneousexecution of dispensing and stirring. The same item can therefore beanalyzed without reducing throughput. In FIG. 3-3, the reagentdispensing position 310 and the reagent stirring position 309 are linedup rectilinearly and both exist on the same position as the operationalpath of the reagent dispensing pipettor. Substantially the same alsoapplies, even if the operational path of the reagent dispensing pipettorlies on a circumference.

A process flow of reagent container movement during reagent stirring isdescribed below.

A position of a reagent container containing the reagent to be stirredis detected by the host computer. If this reagent container is presenton the reagent driving disk, this disk moves to a position adjacent tothe reagent stirring position, within an operational cycle time. Next,the reagent container moving unit moves the reagent container to thereagent stirring position within the fixed disk. Stirring by themagnetic particles stirring arm then follows.

If the reagent container is present in the reagent stand-by position,the reagent driving disk is checked for vacant positions. If a vacancyis present on the reagent driving disk, the reagent driving disk movesto a position adjacent to the reagent stand-by position in which thereagent container is present. Next, the reagent container moving unitmoves the reagent container to the reagent driving disk and then asdescribed above, further moves the reagent container to the reagentstirring position. Conversely if a vacancy is absent on the reagentdriving disk, the host computer checks all reagent containers set on thereagent driving disk and searches for a reagent container temporarilymovable to the reagent stand-by position. For example, the search isconducted using a parameter such as searching in ascending order offrequency of analytical request or in ascending order of frequency ofmeasurement request. The reagent container, after being detected, ismoved to the reagent stand-by position, and then the reagent containerto be subjected to reagent stirring is moved to the reagent driving diskfirst and then to the reagent stirring position.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the loading system 205. The loading systemforms part of the fixed disk located at an inner circumferential sectionof the reagent disk, and the system operates in upward and downwarddirections. For example, if the fixed disk exists at an outercircumferential section of the reagent disk, the loading system may beconstructed so that the system can be pulled out in perpendicular orlateral directions. In addition, since a part of the fixed disk is theloading system and since the system has a shape that enables fivereagent containers to be changed, two or more reagent containers wouldbe replaceable or one reagent container would only be replaceable. Theloading system 205 includes a reagent placing unit 401 in which to placereagent containers 110, a reagent actuator 402 adapted forupward/downward reagent actuation, indicators 403 each indicatingwhether the reagent is replaceable, a loading system locking unit 404for locking the loading system, and an indicator lamp 405 notifying thatthe locking unit has unlocked the loading system. Among other methodsuseable to supply information on whether the loading system has beenunlocked to enable reagent replacement would be one by providing amechanism that slides the system upward to come out to the surfaceimmediately after unlocking. Furthermore, although the loading system isconstructed to be manually openable using a grip provided at theactuator, the system would be automatically movable to a reagentreplacement position by, for example, adding a driving unit to theactuator itself.

An example of a reagent-adding sequence by an operator is describedbelow.

A flow of successive reagent-loading operations is described first. Theoperator selects a reagent add/replace request via the host computer.The host computer analyzes a current operational status of theapparatus, then if reagent replacement is judged to be executable,activates the locking unit to unlock the loading system, and lights upthe indicator lamp to notify that the reagent replacement can beconducted. Pursuant to the information from both the host computer andthe indicator lamp, the operator judges that the reagent is replaceable.After confirming that the reagent replacement is executable, theoperator opens the loading system, then loads a replacement reagentcontainer into a vacant position, and closes the loading system. Afterthe closing of the loading system following completion of replacementreagent container mounting, the operator checks a sensor or the like andmakes sure that the loading system is properly closed.

Next, a flow of successive reagent-replacing operations is describedbelow. The operator selects a reagent add/replace request via the hostcomputer, as in the reagent-adding sequence. The host computer thenanalyzes the current apparatus status. After judging reagent replacementto be executable, the host computer unlocks the loading system by thelocking unit to enable the replacement. Since the loading system is alsoused as the fixed disk, all reagent containers may have already beenmounted in the system when the replacement is conducted. In such a case,the indicator indicates whether the reagent container is replaceable.For example, if the indicator has a red and a green light source and thered one is on, the corresponding reagent container is unusable as areplacement, and if the green light source is on, the reagent containeris usable as a replacement. Alternatively, if the reagent containercannot be used as a replacement, providing the locking unit properlywill prevent the particular reagent container from being pulled out forremoval. After replacing the reagent container, the operator closes theloading system properly and then confirms through the host computer thatthe loading system has been properly closed. The confirmation completesthe replacement sequence.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the reagent containers moving unit 305(also called container shift mechanism). The reagent container movingunit 305 includes an arm mechanism 501 that moves a reagent container110, and a drive portion 502 that rotates the arm mechanism 501. FIG.5-1 is a schematic view of the arm mechanism 501. The arm mechanism 501includes an arm 503 used for moving the reagent container 110, a lateralarm drive portion 504 that moves the arm forward and backward, and arotational arm drive portion 505 that rotates the arm. The reagentcontainer moving unit 206 moves reagent containers between the loadingsystem and the reagent driving disk, as well as between the reagentdriving disk and the fixed disk. A reagent container moving sequence isdescribed below using an example of a movement between the reagentdriving disk and the fixed disk. First, the reagent driving disk moves adesired reagent container to a position in the same radial direction asthat of the fixed disk onto which the reagent container is to be stored.After the movement, the arm mechanism rotates to a position to which thereagent container can be moved. Next, the lateral arm drive and therotational arm drive operate for the arm to grip the reagent container,and then the lateral arm drive operates to make the arm move the grippedreagent container from the reagent driving disk to the fixed disk.Finally, the lateral arm drive and the rotational arm drive cause thearm to release the container from the gripped position. This completesthe moving sequence. When the arm grips the reagent container, anactuator such as a motor may actuate the arm to hold the container fromboth sides, for example. In addition, when the reagent container movingunit moves the reagent container, the arm may be driven by the actuatorto grip the container or pressed against the container, to conduct themovement.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart that shows the flow of analytical reagentcontainer movement on the reagent disk of the present invention. Whenanalysis is requested from the operator in step 601, whether a reagentcontainer to be used for the analysis exists on the reagent driving diskis next confirmed in step 602. If the reagent container to be used forthe analysis is already set on the reagent driving disk, a process forno reagent container movement is executed in step 603 and the analysisis immediately executed in step 609. If the reagent container to be usedfor the analysis is not set on the reagent driving disk, any reagentcontainer containing the same kind of reagent as used for the analysisis moved from the fixed disk to the reagent driving disk. Prior to thismovement, it is confirmed in step 604 whether a vacant position ispresent on the reagent driving disk. If a vacant position is present,the reagent container moving unit moves any reagent container containingthe same kind of reagent, from the fixed disk to the reagent drivingdisk, in step 605. If a vacant position is absent, whether a vacantposition exists on the fixed disk is confirmed in step 606. If a vacantposition on the fixed disk is exists, a reagent container movable to thereagent fixed position is moved from the reagent driving disk to thereagent fixed position in the moving process step 607. If a vacancy isabsent, the reagent container moving unit moves any reagent containercontaining the same kind of reagent, from the reagent driving disk tothe loading system, in step 608. After this movement, the same kind ofreagent container required for the analysis is moved from the fixed diskto the reagent driving disk in step 605 by the reagent container movingunit, and then in step 609, an executable state of the analysis isregistered in the host computer.

An installation flow of the reagent disk can be divided into two majorsequences: (1) a sequence from completion of reagent container loadingto a start of the analysis, and (2) a sequence for reagent replacementdue to a shortage or expiration of the reagent.

(1) Sequence from completion of reagent container loading to a start ofthe analysis. An example of a sequence from completion of reagentcontainer loading to a start of the analysis is described below. After areagent container containing the required kind of reagent has beenloaded from the loading system, the host computer upon confirming thatthe loading system has been closed properly by the operator activatesthe locking unit to lock the system, and reads reagent information fromthe mounted reagent container using a reagent information reading deviceequipped in or on the disk. The reagent container has an identifieraffixed thereto. Measurement items and other information are prewrittenon the identifier. The identifier is, for example, a bar code, aradio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, or the like. The reagentinformation, when read properly, will be registered and the reagentcontainer moved to the reagent driving disk by the reagent containermoving unit. The host computer will recognize a position on the reagentdriving disk where the moved reagent container was loaded, and registerthe information. The movement will be followed by a process required forthe analysis, such as calibration. The reagent container upon completionof this process will be usable, and the host computer will register thereagent as one that can be used for the analysis.

(2) Sequence for reagent replacement due to a shortage or expiration ofthe reagent. An example of this sequence is described below. The hostcomputer measures the amount of reagent in the reagent container. Thereagent information that has been registered in the loading systemcontains an expiration date of the reagent, and the host computer judgesfrom this date whether the reagent maintains its chemical effectiveness.If the reagent has already expired or is insufficient in quantity, thehost computer will deliver an alarm to the operator, notifying that thereagent requires replacement. At the same time, the reagent containermoving unit will move the reagent container from the reagent drivingdisk to the loading system. At this time, the host computer will confirmthe reagent container information registered in the loading system. Ifthe loading system is now capable of accepting a plurality of reagentcontainers and has at least one vacant loading position, the particularreagent container will be moved to one of the vacancies. If the loadingsystem has no vacancy, the reagent container will be moved to the fixeddisk and made to stand by thereon until a vacant loading position hasbeen created. After the reagent container has stood by, when the vacancyoccurs in the loading system, the reagent driving disk and the reagentcontainer moving unit will operate to move a replacement reagentcontainer to the loading position. After the movement of the replacementreagent container, the host computer will notify to the operator thatthe reagent container has become ready for the replacement.

With regard to FIGS. 7-15 a further embodiment of the invention isdescribed below.

The turntable shown in FIG. 7 has a circular construction with aradially outer ring-shaped first partition 3 and a radially innercircular or ring-shaped second partition 5. The first turntablepartition 3 is movable about a vertical central axis of rotation 7relative to the second turntable partition 5. The first turntablepartition 3 and the second turntable partition 5 of the embodimentaccording to FIGS. 7-15 correspond essentially to the reagent drivingdisk 301 and the fixed disk 303, respectively of the first embodimentaccording to FIGS. 1-6.

The first turntable partition 3 is equipped with a plurality ofcompartments 9, namely forty-eight compartments in the presentembodiment. The compartments 9 are separated by dividing walls 56. Eachcompartment 9 is adapted to accommodate a reagent container assembly 11in a fitted position.

Each reagent container assembly 11 consists of three containers orcontainer sections 13 a, 13 b, 13 c as shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b . Thecontainers 13 a, 13 b, 13 c are made of plastic material and areinterconnected and fixed to each other at welding spots 15 so that theyform a reagent container assembly 11 with three container sections 13 a,13 b, 13 c in an in-line configuration. Each container section 13 a, 13b, 13 c contains a particular reagent to be used in particularanalytical determinations to be performed by means of the analyzercomprising the turntable 1. In the present embodiment the outercontainer section 13 a in FIGS. 9a and 9b contains a suspension ofmicroparticles (“beads”) which are used in the analytical determinationsas micro carriers for complex molecules which are characteristic for theanalysis.

The other container sections 13 b and 13 c contain other specificreagents to be used in analysis steps according to a specific assayprotocol.

Each container section has an upper opening 17 which is normally closedby means of a cap 19 as shown in FIG. 9a . Each cap 19 is pivotablemounted to the housing of its container section 13 a, 13 b, 13 c so thatit is pivotable about the hinge 21 between a closing position accordingto FIG. 9a and the opening position according to FIG. 9b . Normally, thecontainer sections 13 a, 13 b, 13 c are closed by said caps 19 being inthe closing position, in order to avoid evaporation of the reagentscontained therein.

The container sections 13 a-13 c have to be opened according to FIG. 9bif access to the inner volume thereof is required. An automatic capmanipulating mechanism (not shown) is adapted to selectively open orclose the container sections 13 a-13 c by moving the caps 19 in therespective closing or opening positions. Said cap manipulating mechanismis provided in a treatment zone 23 for treating a reagent containerassembly 11 stored on said turntable 1 in respective compartments 9 and25. The compartments 9 are arranged side-by-side to form an arcuate orring-shaped row of compartments 9 on the first turntable partition 3.The second turntable partition 5 has a first compartment 25 which isradially aligned in the treatment zone 23. The compartments 25, 27 ofthe second turntable partition 5 are open at their radially outer ends,whereas the compartments 9 of the first turntable partition 3 are openat their radially inner ends. Since the second turntable partition 5 isfix with regard to the axis of rotation 7, the first compartment 25remains in the treatment zone 23. Since the first turntable partition 3is rotatable around the second partition 5 each compartment 9 of thesecond turntable partition 3 can be selectively moved into the treatmentzone 23 in radial alignment with the first compartment 25 of the secondturntable partition 5 in a mutual transfer position as it is shown inthe snap shot of FIG. 7 for the compartment 9 a of the first turntablepartition 3. In said mutual transfer position the container assembly 11which occupies the first compartment 25 can be shifted radially outwardinto the compartment 9 a of the first turntable partition. Thereaftersaid reagent container assembly 11 can be removed from the treatmentzone 23 by rotation of the first turntable partition 3. The firstcompartment 25 of the second turntable partition 5 is then vacant andmay be loaded with another reagent container assembly 11 from the firstturntable partition 3 after having positioned that reagent containerassembly 11 in radial alignment with the first compartment 25.

Beside the first compartment 25 are arranged some further compartments27 on the second turntable partition 5 to form a circular arc shaped rowof radially oriented compartments 25, 27. Each compartment 27 may beused to exchange a reagent container assembly 11 between the firstturntable partition 3 and the second turntable partition 5 in the manneras described above with regard to the first compartment 25.

The radial shifting of reagent container assemblies 11 between theturntable partitions 3, 5 is performed automatically by means of acontainer shift mechanism 29.

FIG. 8 shows the turntable 1 in the same top plan view as FIG. 7, butwith further components of the apparatus for providing reagents, namelytreating means 31 for treating reagent container assemblies 11positioned in said treatment zone 23.

The further treatment means 37 are also shown in a side view in FIG. 10.They comprise a frame 33 in the shape of a gallows with a vertical pile34 fixed radially outward of the turntable 1 and a cantilever 35extending horizontally from said pile 33 above the turntable 1 so as todispose treatment units 37, 39, 41 for acting in said treatment zone 23.The treatment unit 37 is a stirrer which is a part of an agitating means38 that is guided for horizontal movement on a linear guidance 43 whichis attached to the cantilever 35. The units 39, 41 are pipetting tubesof a pipetting means 40 which is also guided for horizontal movement onsaid linear guidance 43. The agitating means 38 and the pipetting means40 are movable independently from each other along the guidance 43 bydriving means which are controlled by a control means (not shown).

The agitating means 38 has a vertical driving means 45 for selectivelylowering or raising the stirrer 37, and a driver 44 for rotating thestirrer 37.

The pipetting means 40 comprises vertical driving means 47, 49 for eachpipette unit 39, 41. Said vertical driving means 47, 49 of the pipettingunits 39, 41 are controllable by the control means in order toindependently raise or lower the pipetting units 39, 41.

In FIG. 8 the agitating means 38 are adjusted on the horizontal guidance43 and in stand-by position in which the stirrer 37 is in verticalalignment with the radially innermost disposed container section 13 a ofa reagent container assembly 11 accommodated in the first compartment 25(cf., FIG. 7 and FIG. 11). Before the agitating means 38 are activatedto mix the content of said container section 13 a in the firstcompartment 25, the cap manipulating means has to be activated to movethe cap 19 of this container section 13 a in the opening position (cf.,FIG. 9b ). Then the vertical drive means 45 may be activated to lowerthe stirrer 37 so as to insert said stirrer 37 through the uncoveredopening 17 into the inner volume of the container section 13 a, in orderto agitate the reagent contained therein. The rotation of the propeller51 of the stirrer 37 about its vertical axis is controllable by thecontrol means.

As mentioned above, the container section 13 a contains a beadsuspension which must be homogenized by mixing before it is extracted bya pipetting unit 39, 41 for use in an analysis step. This step ofagitating the suspension of beads is also called a bead mixing step. Thebead mixing step is usually more time consuming then pipetting steps ofthe pipetting means 40. For this reason the apparatus for providingreagents according to FIG. 8 will be operated in such a manner that eachbead mixing operation will be performed on the second turntablepartition 5 with the container section 13 a of the particular reagentcontainer assembly 11 is positioned on the radial innermost location ofthe first compartment 25.

During the bead mixing step the first turntable partition 3 may bedriven by its drive means to rotate in order to adjust a reagentcontainer assembly 11 in a predetermined position in the treatment zone23. Also the pipetting means 40 may be operated during the bead mixingstep is performed. The pipetting means 40 is used to extract reagentsfrom reagent container assemblies 11 currently adjusted in the treatmentzone 23. The pipetting means 40 may be moved along its horizontalguidance 43 to selectively access in the treatment zone 23 containersections 13 a, 13 b, 13 c in the first compartment 25 of the secondturntable partition 5 or container sections 13 a, 13 b, 13 c of a

reagent container assembly 11 in a respective compartment 9 a of thefirst turntable partition 3. After the current bead mixing step has beenterminated and the stirrer 37 has been retracted from the containersection 13 a of the respective reagent container assembly 11 in thefirst compartment 25, this reagent container assembly 11 may betransferred to the first turntable partition 3 by radially shifting thereagent container assembly 11 outwards into a vacant compartment of thefirst turntable partition 3 by means of the container shift mechanism29.

It is to be noted that at the same time both radially alignedcompartments 9 a, 25 in the treatment zone 23 may be occupied by arespective reagent container assembly 11, and that during the stirrer 37of the agitating means 38 is activated to mix the content of containersection 13 a of the reagent container assembly 11 in the compartment 25of the second turntable partition 5, the pipetting means 40 may be usedto extract reagents from container sections 13 a, 13 b, 13 c of thereagent container assembly 11 in the compartment 9 a of the firstturntable partition 3.

Catch springs 53, 54 are provided as snapping means on the verticalcompartment dividing walls 55, 56. The catch springs 53 are mounted atan upper and radial inner position to the compartment dividing walls 55of the second turntable partition 5 so as to be able to snap in an outerrecess 57 of the radially innermost positioned container section 13 a ofa reagent container assembly 11 accommodated in the first compartment25. The reagent container assembly 11 is automatically or self-adjustedwhen the catch spring has entered the radially innermost vertical grooveor recess 57 of said reagent container assembly 11.

The catch springs 54 are mounted at an upper and radially outer positionto the vertical compartment dividing walls 56 of the first turntablepartition 3 in order to snap in a respective groove shaped recess 59 ofthe reagent container assembly 11 accommodated in the respectivecompartment 9 of the first turntable partition 3. Instead of the catchsprings other snap means may be provided for adjusting the reagentcontainer assemblies 11 in compartments 9, 25, 27.

The compartments 9, 25, 27 may be equipped with spring-loaded bottomelements (not shown) which are adapted to urge the reagent containerassemblies 11 accommodated in the compartments 9, 25, 27 upwardlyagainst upper stops 61 extending from the compartment dividing walls 55,56. The reagent container assemblies 11 are adjusted precisely also inthe vertical direction by this measure. The upper stops 61 are shown inFIGS. 7-13 as sidewardly extending protrusions of sheets mounted on topof the compartment dividing walls 55, 56 by means of screws. Accordingto an alternative embodiment of the walls 55, 56 as shown in FIG. 15 thestops 61 may be integrated parts of the walls 55, 56, wherein the walls55, 56 with integrated stops are preferably plastic parts or milledmetal parts.

The container shifting mechanism 29 has a shifting arm 62 with twogripping or engagement elements 63, 65 which are pivotable about thelongitudinal axis 67 of the shifting arm 62 between an engagementposition and a release position. The gripping elements 63 and 65,respectively, may engage a reagent container assembly 11 at an upperpart at respective longitudinal ends thereof. The point of engagement ispreferably located at a low level in the upper half of a respectivereagent container assembly 11. The radial distance between said grippingelements 63, 65 is a little bit greater than the length of the reagentcontainer assemblies 11 so that the gripping elements 63, 65 can adopt areagent container assembly 11 therebetween. By shifting the shifting arm62 in its longitudinal direction a reagent container assembly 11, thatis adopted between the gripping elements 63, 65 in their engagementposition, can be transferred between respectively aligned compartmentsof the first turntable partition 3 and the second turntable partition 5.The container shift mechanism 29 is movable to rotate the shifting arm62 about the axis of rotation 7 to selectively gain access to eachcompartment 25, 27 of the second turntable partition 5 in order totransfer reagent container assemblies 11 from each compartment 25, 27 ofthe second turntable partition 5 to a respective aligned compartment ofthe first turntable partition 3. According to one embodiment the pivotmovement of the elements 63, 65 may be started during the rotation ofthe shifting arm 62 about the axis 7.

When the gripping elements 63, 65 are in their release position they donot interfere with reagent container assemblies 11 on the turntable 1,so that the shifting arm 62 can not move a reagent container assembly11.

It is to be noted that the container shifting mechanism 29 with itsgripping elements 63, 65 can be operated to hold a reagent containerassembly 11 in position in a respective compartment 9, 25, 27, e.g.,during the opening of the container sections 13 a-13 c of that reagentcontainer assembly 11 by means of the automatic cap manipulatingmechanism.

In the perspective view of the container shifting mechanism in FIG. 14reference number 71 denotes a drive means for shifting the shifting arm62 along a horizontal guidance 73 in its longitudinal direction. Thereference number 75 denotes a driving means for rotating the shiftingarm 62 about its longitudinal axis 67 in order to pivot the grippingelements 63, 65 between their engagement position and release position.

Reference number 77 in FIG. 14 denotes a driving means for rotating thecontainer shift mechanism 29 about the vertical axis of rotation 7. Theangular positions of the container shifting mechanism 29 relative to theaxis of rotation 7 are monitored by means of photo-electric guards 79which act together with a pattern of merlons 81 distributed on acircular arc around the axis of rotation 7.

In a similar manner the shift position and the pivot position of theshifting arm 62 are monitored by photo-electric guards.

The turntable 1 has arranged at its center a vertical tube, e.g., ahollow shaft which forms a drain channel 85 for draining a cleaningfluid of a cleaning station adapted for cleaning the stirrer 37 of theagitating means 38. For this reason, the agitating means 38 is movablealong its horizontal guidance 43 between the stand-by position shown inFIG. 8 and a cleaning position in alignment with the drain channel ortube 85. Usually a cleaning step of the stirrer 37 is required aftereach bead mixing step. The provision of the cleaning station in thecentral region of the turntable is a space-saving measure which avoidslong ways between the stand-by position and the cleaning position of thestirrer 37.

There are also provided cleaning means for cleaning the pipetting tubes39, 41. The latter cleaning means are positioned outside the turntable 1and are not shown.

According to the present invention it is possible to perform moretime-consuming treatment steps on the second turntable partition 5 whilefaster treatment steps, including the rotation of the first turntablepartition 1 and pipetting operations of the pipetting units 39, 41, maybe performed. The apparatus for providing reagents according to thepresent invention may be operated very efficiently to achieve a highthroughput of the analyzer. As mentioned above the control means isprogrammed to control the operation of the apparatus for providingreagents according to the particular program for performing a lot ofanalytical determinations by means of the analyzer.

It is to be noted that the movements of the reagent container assemblies11 on the turntable 1, i.e., rotation of the turntable 1 in bothrotational directions and the shifting of the reagent containerassemblies 11 between the turntable partitions 3 and 5 should beperformed without abrupt starts and stops in order to avoid an intensivesloshing of the reagents in the reagent container assemblies 11.Therefore, the controlling means is programmed to control the drivingmeans of the turntable 1 so as to perform the movements of the reagentcontainer assemblies 11 in a harmonic manner. The same applies to themovement of the shift mechanism 29.

Also the course of movement of the treatment means 38 and 40 iscontrolled according to a particular scheme in order to achieve atrouble-free and time-optimized operation of the apparatus for providingreagents.

It is to be noted that in principle all features of the first aspect ofthe invention may be realized in an analyzer according to the secondaspect of the invention and vice versa.

It is noted that terms like “preferably”, “commonly”, and “typically”are not utilized herein to limit the scope of the claimed subject matteror to imply that certain features are critical, essential, or evenimportant to the structure or function of the embodiments disclosedherein. Rather, these terms are merely intended to highlight alternativeor additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particularembodiment of the present invention.

It is also noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” may beutilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that maybe attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, orother representation. These terms are also utilized herein to representthe degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a statedreference without resulting in a change in the basic function of thesubject matter at issue.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the embodiments describedherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimedsubject matter. Thus it is intended that the specification cover themodifications and variations of the various embodiments described hereinprovided such modifications and variations come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for providing reagents within ananalyzer comprising: providing: a turntable having an axis of rotationand configured to store thereon a plurality of reagent containerassemblies in an arrangement of at least one arcuate row, wherein eachof the plurality of reagent container assemblies has at least twocontainer sections, each of which has an inner volume to contain aparticular reagent, and which container sections are arrangedside-by-side in a row on a straight radial line and are connected toform a unitary cassette type assembly; at least one treatment zone fortreating reagent container assemblies stored on the turntable, thetreatment zone is defined within the circumference of the turntable andhas a surface area less than the surface area of the turntable;treatment means comprising pipetting means and agitating means, wherethe treatment means treat reagent container assemblies positioned in thetreatment zone, and the pipetting means and the agitating means aremovable along a rectilinear operational path that extends within thecircumference of the turntable, wherein the treatment zone is radiallyaligned with the rectilinear operational path of the pipetting means andthe agitating means, and the treatment zone has a surface area less thanthe surface area of the turntable; wherein the turntable comprisescompartments arranged to accommodate the reagent container assemblies atpredetermined locations on the turntable so as to form the arrangementof at least one arcuate row of reagent container assembliescorresponding to the arrangement of the compartments; a circular firstturntable partition that is adjustable by rotation so as to selectivelymove respective ones of the compartments in predetermined positions fordisposing reagent container assemblies in predetermined positions in andout of the treatment zone and the first turntable partition is centeredaround the axis of rotation and carrying the arcuate row ofcompartments; a fixed second turntable partition arranged radiallyadjacent to the first turntable partition and carrying a firstcompartment for accommodating a reagent container assembly therein,wherein the second turntable partition is fixed without a motor and isincapable of rotation with respect to the axis of rotation such that thefirst compartment remains located in the treatment zone; the firstturntable partition is rotatable relative to the fixed second turntablepartition about the axis of rotation so as to selectively adjust acompartment of the first turntable partition in radial alignment withthe first compartment of the fixed second turntable partition in amutual transfer position in which a reagent container assembly isradially shiftable by a container shift mechanism between the alignedcompartments in the treatment zone, the container shift mechanismcomprising a shifting arm extending out from the axis of rotation andcomprising a gripping element rotatable about a longitudinal axis of theshifting arm between an engagement position and a release position; thepipetting means is movable along the rectilinear operational path toaccess at least one of reagent container assemblies positioned in apredetermined position in the treatment zone; the agitating means ismovable along the rectilinear operational path and configured to accessin the treatment zone a reagent container assembly accommodated in thefirst compartment of the fixed second turntable partition in order toagitate a content of the container assembly in the first compartment;and the first turntable partition is operable to provide reagentcontainer assemblies in the treatment zone for being treated by thepipetting means independently of the operation of the agitating meansand out of the treatment zone by rotation; and rotating the grippingelement about the longitudinal axis of the shifting arm.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising arranging the first circularturntable partition radially outward of the second turntable partitionwith regard to the axis of rotation.
 3. The method according to claim 1,further comprising rotating a second gripping element about thelongitudinal axis of the shifting arm between the engagement positionand the release position, the second gripping element located betweenthe first gripping element and the axis of rotation along the arm. 4.The method according to claim 3, further comprising simultaneouslyoperating the container shift mechanism and the pipetting means in orderto simultaneously treat separate reagent container assemblies with thecontainer shift mechanism and the pipetting means.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the second turntable partition carries aplurality of compartments including the first compartment foraccommodating reagent container assemblies in an arrangement of anarcuate row radially adjacent the arcuate row of compartments of thefirst turntable partition, and further comprising radially aligning thesecond turntable partition with respective compartments of the firstturntable partition in mutual transfer positions.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 3, further comprising moving the container shiftmechanism around the axis of rotation at selected angular positionscorresponding to angular positions of the radial alignment ofcompartments aligned in their mutual transfer positions.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising aligning at least one of thecompartments of the first turntable partition and at least one of thecompartments of the second turntable partition to dispose reagentcontainer assemblies contained therein on a straight radial line whenpositioned relative to each other in the predetermined positions in thetreatment zone, and wherein the apparatus for providing reagents furthercomprises a driving and guiding means for selectively moving thepipetting means to reagent container assemblies positioned relative toeach other in the predetermined positions in the treatment zone.
 8. Themethod according to claim 7, wherein the pipetting means comprise atleast two pipetting units and, moving each pipetting unit according to aspecific treatment program via the driving and guiding means.
 9. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising simultaneously operatingthe agitating means and the pipetting means to simultaneously treatseparate reagent container assemblies.
 10. The method according to claim1, wherein the turntable has a radial inner center including the axis ofrotation, and further providing a cleaning station for cleaningtreatment means and a drain channel for draining cleaning fluid, andwherein the drain channel is arranged in the area of the radial innercenter, between three separate driving means of the container shiftmechanism, each of the driving means providing movement for an aspect ofthe container shift mechanism along a different direction, and furthercomprising draining the cleaning fluid.
 11. The method according toclaim 10, further comprising moving the agitator means between a workingposition to agitate fluid in a reagent container assembly positioned inthe first compartment and at least one other position outside of thecontainer assembly.
 12. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising moving the pipetting means and agitating means independentlyfrom each other along the rectilinear operational path.
 13. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the treatment means comprises a framefixed radially outward of the turntable and which extends above theturntable, and further comprising moveably disposing the pipetting meansand agitating means for movement along the rectilinear operational pathand acting in the treatment zone.
 14. The method according to claim 1,wherein the treatment means comprises a frame fixed radially outward ofthe turntable and which extends horizontally above the turntable via acantilever, the cantilever moveably disposed thereon the pipetting meansand agitating means for movement along the rectilinear operational pathand acting in the treatment zone, and further comprising independentlymoving the pipetting means and agitating means along the cantilever. 15.The method of claim 1 further comprising shifting the shifting armlongitudinally along a horizontal guidance via a drive means.